Antiskid chain



Patented May 16, 1933 UNITED STATES GILEs A. BECKWITH, oF WATERFORD,CoNN-EoTICT i.

ANTISKID CHAIN Application inea November 9.1931. ,serrer 110.573,800.y'l l l My invention relates to anti-skid chains such as are employed onVautomobile tires, etc., and particularly to those portions of the chainswhich engage the roadway.

One object of my invention is to provide a chain that is of longer lifethan various types of chains heretofore employed.

Another object of my invention isto provide a chain which possessessuperior antiskid properties.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an anti-skid chainpossessing the advantages above-named, and which is nevertheless ofcomparatively simple construction.

Some of the forms which my invention may take are shown in theaccompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a plan View showing theroad-engaging surface of a cross chain; Fig. 2 is a side elevationalview thereof, and Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1, but showing amodified form of chain link.

Referring first to Figs. l and 2, portions of the usual side chains ortension members are indicated by the numerals 4. The side chains 4 areconnected at intervals by cross chains that extend across the tread ofthe wheel. Each cross chain includes tread links 5 which are shown as ofapproximately circular form, and each of which is twisted for a distanceof approximately 180O to permit the links to lie substantially in acommon plane, in a manner well-known in the twisted link art.

The bends formed in the links at points where they cross one anotherextend outwardly from the mid plane of the links at diagonally oppositepoints, as indicated at 6 and 7, for exam-ple. Ordinarily, the linkstend to wear through rapidly at these points, and

furthermore there is tendency for these curved protrusions to slip onthe roadway. Metal bars 8 are welded to the links at diagonally-oppositelow points thereof, while the bars 9 extend diagonally of the links andare welded thereto at points adjacent to the raised or protrudingportions 6 and 7 of the links, the bars 8 and 9 preferably being ofpolygonal form in cross section.

The bars or calks 9 serve not only to more effectively resist skiddngthan links which are not provided witli"calks,f'but also'increasev thelife ofthe links,'becau'se the-'links will not begin to wearuntilltheffcalksQ are worn entirely through o rgnearly through.

lVhile the major portion ofthe calks 8 are not subjected to wearuntilthe bars 9 have been worn nearly through, the ends thereof, byreason of the rocking tendency of the chain under tractive or brakingforces of the slipping of the wheels. When the bars 9 have been moreworn through, the bars 8 will not only relieve the linkspof considerablewear, thus further lengthening the life thereof, but they will, byreason of their diagonal positions, resist skidding, land will increasethe tractive quality of the chain.

Referring now to Fig. V3, I show a structure similar to that of Fig. 1,but wherein the tread links 10 have loop-like extensions ll, the linksor their extensions, or both, being twisted to permit the links to lie`in substantially a.y common plane. In this case,

bars or calks 12 and 13 are provided that the wheels, and the openingsthrough the 8 links between the bar-like calks are not so small thatthey become readily clogged with snow.

If desired, the bars may be welded together at the points where theycross one another.

I cla-im as my invention l. An anti-skid cross chain comprising links ofapproximately circular form but having loop-like extensions, theextensions of adjacent links being directly connected and the linksbeing twisted at said extensions to y cause the links to lie insubstantially a comy mon plane, a bar-like calk secured at its ends toeach of said links at the raised portions of the links which result fromthe twisting wheel will bite into the roadway and resist f thereof, anda bar-like calk secured at its ends to each of said links at depressedportions of the links.V

2. An anti-skid cross chain comprising links of approximately circularforni but f having loop-like extensions, the extensions of adjacentlinks being directly Connected and the links being twisted at saidextensions to cause the links to lie in substantially a coniinon plane,a bar-like calk secured at its ends to each of saidV links at the raisedpor`` tions of the links which result from the twisting thereof, and abar-like calk secured at its ends to each of said links at depressedportions of the links, the calks of each link lying in crossed vrelationto oneanother.-

1 In testimony whereofl, the said Guns A" BEGKWITH have hereunto set myhand.

G'ILES Ar BECKWITH.

.es f

